School crossing patrols

Find out about school crossing patrols and how you can become a 'lollipop' man or lady.

School crossing patrols ('Lollipop' men and ladies) are employed by us to help children and other pedestrians cross the road safely whilst they are walking to and from school.

Requesting a new crossing

We do not have a duty to provide school crossing patrols. However, if you think that a road would benefit from a crossing send us details of the name of the road which pupils find difficult to cross and the point on the road where the majority attempt to cross. We will carry out an assessment taking into account the number of pupils crossing, the volume of traffic and any special site characteristics. If the results of the assessment meet the national criteria for new sites, we will then look at ways to fund the crossing.

Becoming a lollipop man or lollipop lady

We have the following vacancies for school crossing patrols. If you are interested in being part of this worthwhile service please contact us.

Starting wage of £7.78 per hour

Full training and ongoing support

Clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required, which we will pay for.

Applications

Information on school crossing patrols

The responsibility for ensuring children are safe when walking between home and school always rests with parents, even where school crossing patrols are employed. Please remember that a patrol might be absent at short notice. A reserve might be able to cover the duty but it is not always possible.

You can help the patrol by:

teaching your child to wait on the pavement and follow instructions

teaching your child to cross in front of the patrol

making sure your child behaves sensibly and does not distract the patrol

setting a good example yourself.

Sites are kept under periodic review and may be closed following consultation and reasonable notice if they are no longer considered to be justified (for example, following the installation of a light-controlled crossing).

School crossing patrols can help anyone across the road, as long as they are at a designated site and operating at the approved times. Pedestrians are asked to follow these simple rules when crossing with a patrol:

Stand well back while waiting to cross the road.

Do not follow the patrol into the road - wait for the patrol's instructions to cross the road.

School Crossing Patrols need consideration from motorists so they are able to carry out their duties in helping people in all weathers to cross our roads safely.

It is an offence not to stop when signalled to do so by a school crossing patrol. When you see the patrol reduce your speed and be prepared to stop, stop a safe distance away from the patrol, do not let your vehicle roll forward and do not move off until the patrol has returned to the pavement after people have finished crossing.

If you do not stop you are breaking the law and the patrol can report you which could mean you face the following possible penalties: